Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle honors late father Preston in Ogdensburg

Rick Carlisle, head coach of the Indiana Pacers, paid tribute to his late father, Preston Carlisle, during a recent broadcast. The 62-year-old described his father as the greatest hero of his life and shared specific memories of the man who passed away recently. Carlisle spoke on The Fan Morning Show, where hosts offered their condolences and invited the coach to discuss his father's background.

Preston Carlisle was born in 1930, one year into the Great Depression. Rick Carlisle noted that his grandfather was an inventor who built early prototypes of fax machines, headlights, and hearing aids. Despite these inventions, the family faced financial hardship. Rick recalled a Christmas when his father was five or six years old. The family placed an old toy he already owned into his stocking. Rick said this experience shaped his father's outlook. He described Preston as being shot out of a cannon into the world with the decision that success would be a choice rather than a guarantee.

Preston attended three colleges and was one German course short of completing his degree. He convinced American University to let him enter their law school program. He passed the bar exams in Washington and New York on his first attempt. In 1961, he opened a law firm in Ogdensburg, New York. Rick Carlisle described the firm as one of the most successful in the history of Northern New York. The family also donated an annex to the Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club. The gym inside that annex is named the Preston C. Carlisle Youth Activity Center. The memorial service for Preston was held in that facility.

A story shared at the memorial service illustrates the family's approach to community support. A friend named Brian, who had previously worked as a caddie, wanted to pursue a career on the senior tour. He needed money to reach a tournament in Dallas. He asked Preston for help. Preston agreed to lend him $1,000. When Brian asked for $1,500, Preston laughed and held firm to the initial amount. Brian used the funds to travel to Dallas and went on to caddie on the senior tour for 21 years. Rick Carlisle called this a story about the power of generosity and strong will.

Rick Carlisle also mentioned his mother, who is 92 years old. She continues to go to the barn twice a day to care for her horses. He quoted his father's final attitude toward life. Life goes on, as my dad would say, Carlisle said. He concluded the segment by noting that it is quite a life. The next scheduled event for the Pacers is a home game against the Chicago Bulls on November 10 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The conversation took place on a local radio program that focuses on sports analysis and community news. Carlisle was joined by the show's regular hosts. They discussed his role as the Pacers' head coach and his personal history. The segment ended with a discussion of the team's upcoming schedule. Carlisle returned to the studio for a standard interview format. The broadcast aired on November 5, 2026.